Three Words, I Love You ??

27: Huggies from Ada

Nemo nods and I press the off button, hearing the little jingle before everything in my left ear goes silent. My head feels weird and off as the only sound being heard is through my right side.

With ease, I slip the hearing aid off of my ear and hold it in my hand gently and with care.

I look at Nemo with barely opened eyes, "I... I'll give it to you..."

I pause, shaking my head, "Don't break... please... they're... they're expensive,"

Nemo gives me a look of pity but he nods, holding his hand out. I set the aid into his palm, putting all of my trust into him.

"When... when I take... off other one..." I talk tiredly, not bothering to make sense, "Don't talk... because I can't hear myself... or you..."

"Okay, that's fine," Nemo responds while watching me search for the other hearing aid.

"So... I'm really sorry if... don't respond," I mutter, my finger hovering over the off button.

Nemo shakes his head, "Don't apologize, dork,"

I smile delicately and press down on the off button, the jingle going off once more.

Then... everything goes away. 

All sounds are gone. Nothing makes its way into my ears.

I'm left with nothing but silence. Like how it always is every time I take my hearing aids off.

And although I can't hear... I can feel it. I can feel the thumping of my heart. I can feel the movement of my lungs.

I can feel the warmth and care from Nemo.

I don't need to hear his words to communicate.

I hand Nemo the aid and place my hands into my lap. Nemo reaches past me and sets them down on the nightstand besides the bed.

Nemo stands, the bed shaking as he does. He runs a hand through his hair before placing his hand on my chest and gently pushing me back. I lie on the bed and he brings a blanket up and over me, tucking me in.

My heart flutters at the simple actions.

Looking down at me, Nemo's lips part.

Confusion fills his features as he thinks. Then, it was like a lightbulb goes off in his mind. He brings his hands up to his face, placing them together and on the side of his face.

Nemo tilts his head, and closes his eyes, smiling softly like he's trying not to laugh.

I almost laugh as I understand what he's trying to indicate. Tiredly, I bring out one of my hands from underneath the blanket.

With my hand over my face and fingers spread, I move it down. I stop with my hand below my chin and my fingers touching my thumb. 

I repeat it and mouth 'sleep'. Nemo breaks out into another smile and his shoulders shake as I could only assume he's laughing.

He repeats the movement I did, and I nod in approval. He grins happily like he's accomplished something big.

The tiredness begins to feel even more extreme than it was before, and I close my eyes, snuggling into the warm blankets and soft pillow.

Suddenly, I feel lips being pressed quickly against my cheek. Lips that I've felt before...

I smile but keep my eyes close as I feel myself starting to drift back to sleep.

As I do... the soft scent of black cherries tries to creep up my nose.

And I let it.

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